That's ALL, Folks! da-da-da-dah da-dah-h-ah-ah! DAH!

Officially - thanks for the supportive comments. Really!

Officially, this is the Bryson Block Story.
Finished for the near future, I hope.

Off the record?
That's all, folks. Really.

If this isn't good enough for you, come and take the tour. It's free, and it's self-guided, and anyone can do it.

Shop The Village. They have gift cards if you need one.

Drop by the Chamber of Commerce.

Knock on Mike's door (Apt. A) and ask for a tour. (He doesn't know I said this, so tell him Mary sent you, OK?)

Peek into the Investment Center.

Spend a weekend evening in the Soup Kitchen listening to jazz or blues or whatever Tim has rounded up for the evening
(Elvis? is that YOU?)

The next move is yours, folks!

Ar'right You Guys, Come Clean!

I have been posting weekly (mostly) updates on our building's growth and development since - does anyone remember when it started? Please raise your hand!

Once we were online, I installed a bit of digital magic that tells me when - date and time - some unidentified someone views the site. I know the server location, but not who is looking in on us. I know how long the visitor stayed, and how many pages they looked at.

So here we are, many months after the beginning, and several months after the last big construction event, and roughly 15 people are visiting us EVERY day. Many are from Washington, and some are from farther away.

Who ARE you people, and WHAT do you want? NO No No, please! I'm not angry with you. I just don't understand the fascination. In the first place, all you Washington folks can stop by and see it for yourselves almost any time you want, and I can tell you that it's much more, um … 'robust' that way. 3-D! with sound! with shopping! with live music! OK. Stop looking at it online and come DO it!

Those who are living far away … OK, I understand that it's not easy to get here from wherever you are. OK, this blog is your link with Washington. OK, I get that.

Except that I intended to stop posting several weeks ago, but the steady flow of visitors keeps me searching for things to show and tell. If I continue, I need to know that it's important. Comment please.

Progress Is Messy

This crosswalk intersection is almost finished. There is the red carpet walk, the differently colored and textured edging to help low vision people know when they're entering the street, and half of the crosswalk across Main Street ready for the red carpet treatment.


The City has constructed bridges to help pedestrians get over the holes and the mess.

Things Are Slow Here

All six units are rented.

The last of the finishing up jobs are being finished up.

The contractors working on the library and the downtown streets and sidewalks continue to tear into their jobs. Driving around the square is an adventure. The street that was closed this morning is open this afternoon, but the road block has moved to another location.

Drivers are coping quite well, and it doesn't look like very many people are avoiding downtown. I think some people might be driving through downtown just for the thrill of finding their own way.

The absolute best maneuver I saw? Someone entered an intersection from the west, wanted to turn left (north), but found the way blocked, and executed a 360º to return to their original location, and then continued around the intersection counter clockwise until they decided which was to go instead (south). I'm not mathematical, but it looks like they might have done the world's first 630º turn!

If you are planning to visit downtown Washington, please note that there are enforcement officers patrolling the square, writing parking tickets as needed. There's a 2 hour parking limit next to the stores. New, but very necessary. Thank you!

Like It?

The Cheese Stands Alone

But not for much longer!

Bryson Village

The one remaining space in the entire building which is not yet open to the public is The Village, an assembly of small shops in the area we used to call Commercial 1.

The shop keepers are unpacking their wares and creating displays, but they aren't quite ready to say "We're open!"

On Tuesday, people who attended the open house were allowed a sneak peek, and came away from that very impressed. Every detail has been considered, and the merchandise is so "not-Washington" that some items are already marked SOLD. When does THAT ever happen??

This will truly be a destination shopping locale, and for once -- we won't have to drive an hour to get there!

Thanks! *says Mary who's making plans for her birthday money*

Open House Tuesday, June 24

Complete with photographer (and photographer of the photographer)

Progress in Central Park

Curbs on the west side and east side are poured, and many of the sidewalks within the park have pavers installed. Remaining to be completed are the curb on the north side, and joining the sidewalks at the curbs.

At Last!

Below the second floor windows, and above the awning (coming next week, I hear), Troy and crew have installed the new belt course to replace the one that was removed to make room for the metal facade -- remember it? We didn't find any photos that showed what it looked like, so we invented somthing, and here it is.



The area painted black was supposed to be black glass, but for now, black paint will do. The piggy bank doesn't rattle very loudly anymore.

another view

Visiting The Library

There's less and less to see here, and the demolition has been cleaner and quieter than I expected.



The concrete around the fountain which was taken away last week is already returning.


The new concrete sidewalk has a recessed area for the brick style pavers that will be installed in the center. Having concrete underneath them should prevent the type of shifting and sinking that we often see in a walk made from pavers.

As If That Wasn't Enough Excitement

Paint colors and display items are appearing in Commercial 1, the retail unit. Doesn't this make you want to see more?

Just When You Thought Things Were Quieting Down

The street project begins! The old asphalt has to be milled off in order to replace water mains prior to laying new asphalt.



Here you can see how the 1904 bricks are faring in the milling process.


Meanwhile, in Central Park, work has started on the new sidewalks. The fountain has been repaired and is ready to fill just as soon as the work is finished.

If you want to receive a weekly update from city hall, email rcicalo@washingtoniowa.net and ask to be added to the mailing list for the downtown project.

The Village Is Coming Soon!

Inside, painters have started adding the decorative colors. It's going to be a charming place to shop for all sorts of things, from books to kids' items to soaps, and I don't know what else. (petticoats?)

The Second Entry Ramp Is Here

Railings are in the works, too.

Five Down - One To Go

Finishing touches in the retail store ~







Just wait until it's painted!


Oak floors in the display windows are being sanding and sealed.




New Art Deco windows have been installed between the display windows and the store, letting in more natural light. The old windows had been covered with plywood and the glass had been painted. This view is from the inside looking toward the street, but they're just as pretty from the street side.

That's Not All!

In Commercial 3, at the west end of the building, Rick and Tom are receiving furniture today. On Monday, you'll find them working here.



Doesn't it look great?



Someone has been busy organizing files, too.

This Just In!

A sign of progress ~



The reception area is to the left of the front door ~



Conference room chairs have been unpacked, but the table is missing ~



Wiring for the computers and phones is almost finished ~




Touching up the paint to eliminate those inevitable moving scars ~




Even Mr. Fishy is here ~

Locked Out Again

unless you're really good at jumping! 

The entrance ramp and stairs for the Chamber of Commerce offices are being built between the rains. With a little luck and a lot of hard work, moving day should be the middle of next week. 

May I Come In?

Yes, and in another week, so can you! 

view from the work area looking toward the front door


view of the break room


and a view of that gorgeous floor